Surname Honnacker - Meaning and Origin
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Honnacker: What does the surname Honnacker mean?
The last name Honnacker means “hound catcher” or “dog catcher”. It is a German occupational name deriving from the Middle High German “Hondachare”, or “Hundnächter”, meaning to keep dogs away from areas. It is likely that the ancestors of the Honnacker family had either been professional dog catchers, or had kept their own farms clear of stray and wild dogs.
The name first appeared in records dating back to the 13th century, as the judgement roll of the Court in Biberach in 1242 first mentions a man named Konrad von Honnacher. From then on, the name was predominantly present in the German province of Württemberg. It is likely that the Honnackers may have had a strong presence in the area in the hundreds of years following as nearly all of the records found are within this region.
The coat of arms itself is an arrow and a fleur-de-lis contained in a heart, all contained in a white border. This indicates the original occupation of the Honnackers, as arrow-like objects are often used to scare away animals. This is further strengthened by the fleur-de-lis, which stands for the French phrase, ‘Donnez les chiens!’ – or ‘Take the dogs!’. The heart at the centre of the coat of arms is likely used to symbolise that the family had a strong love for their country.
Today, the name is still commonly found in Germany, though emigration had taken the name to other countries such as the United States, France, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisHonnacker: Where does the name Honnacker come from?
Today, the last name Honnacker is most commonly found in the United States. It is particularly popular in the Midwest, where it is found in several states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. It is also found in Pennsylvania, New York, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee.
In North America, the name is typically associated with German immigrants who settled in the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name is derived from the German personal name "Honeck," which means "one who comes from the same place,” and is unrelated to any acronym.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than 7,100 individuals in the United States currently have the last name Honnacker. Additionally, the historical records of the Social Security Administration show that the surname Honnacker peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1930s, and again in the 1990s.
Although the last name Honnacker has its roots in Germany, today it is mainly found in the United States. Here, the name is more popular than ever before with a wide distribution across the Midwest, as well as in Tennessee, New York and Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname Honnacker
The surname Honnacker is of German origin and appears to be derived from the German personal name Hanno or Hans, both of which mean ‘God is gracious’. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Honacker, Honicker, Hannicker, Hanacker, Hanicker, Hanig, Honig, Hahnacker, Honsecker and Honsacker.
Honacker, Honicker, and Hannicker are usually German, although Hannicker is also found in Switzerland. Hanacker and Hanicker are German, and can also be found in Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Honig and Hahnacker are German, and are commonly found in Austria and Switzerland. Honsecker is mostly found in the United States, although variants such as Honzak and Hanzek have been recorded in Poland and Austria, respectively. Honsacker is a variant found mainly in the United States, where it is most commonly seen in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Variants of the surname Honnacker have evolved over the centuries due to the phonetic interpretation of the name by various speakers. This has led to a broad family of related surnames, all of which are essentially derivatives of the German Ruah in one form or another. All of them are generally thought to have derived from the German name Hanno or Hans, meaning ‘God is gracious’.
Famous people with the name Honnacker
- Jürgen Honnacker: German historian and author, known for his authoritative work on Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.
- Robert Honnacker: former German professional ice hockey goaltender who played for several teams in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
- Marlies Honnacker: German Administrative Court Judge and former legal adviser to the German Federal Minister of the Interior.
- Ludwig Honnacker: former Speaker of the German Bundestag, President of the Free Democratic Party, and Minister of Justice.
- Bernd Honnacker: former German Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Junge Union.
- Klaus Honnacker: former German Ambassador to the United Nations and Ambassador to Austria.
- Maximilian Honnacker: professional cyclist from Germany, who currently rides for Team Lotto-Soudal.
- Petra Honnacker: German Journalist, Television Host, and Radio Host for ARD.
- Ludwig Honnacker: German Teacher, Writer, and Film Critic, best known for his work on German cinema and for founding the Young German Film Association.
- Karen Honnacker: Actress, known for her roles in the films “Quidd” and “Vazov”.